The Drinks Trust has appointed four new trustees to sit on its board that each bring their own expertise and experience to the drinks charity. Over the coming weeks The Buyer will be talking to each of the new trustees about their careers and why they are keen to work for The Drinks Trust in these new roles. They include: Nicky Forrest, managing director of Phipps Relations; Katy Keating, managing director of Lay & Wheeler; Laura Willoughby MBE, co-founder of Club Soda, the Mindful Drinking Movement; and here today Jillian MacLean MBE, chief executive and founder of Drake & Morgan bar, pub and restaurant group.
Can you tell us your own journey into the drinks industry and how you followed the career that you did?
I was brought up on the west coast of Scotland where my parents had a hotel, so I had an early introduction to hospitality and haven’t looked back since. I’ve always worked in the industry and have been fortunate to work at the likes of Tennent Caledonian Breweries and Mitchells & Butlers before deciding to set up my own business (Drake and Morgan) in 2008.
What is it about the drinks and pub sectors that you find so appealing?
For me, the most enjoyable part is building businesses and welcoming spaces where people like to spend their time and get together – it has been sorely missed for many over the past 18 months and it’s wonderful to see the industry offering people those moments again.
Jillian Maclean has built up Drake & Morgan to be one of the UK’s leading bar, pub and restaurant group
What do you think the drinks industry as a whole is particularly good at compared to other sectors?
One thing we’re great at as an industry is collaboration, particularly over the course of the pandemic. People have really come together to create fresh ways of working and new partnerships – with great distress comes great creativity, and I think that’s something the sector has really proved this year.
What do you see as the industry’s biggest challenges and areas that it needs to focus more attention on for the good of the sector?
Going forwards, I think one thing we’ve learned is that businesses need to be able to pivot and adapt to the world around them. Being agile and resilient has proved more important than ever, and is something that needs to continue and be built upon within the sector.
Any suggestions on how it could do that as a sector, but also as companies and individuals?
At Drake & Morgan, we try to travel when we can and experience great operators in other parts of the world – whether that’s exploring what more rural venues are offering or heading overseas to see what works there. Gaining a fresh perspective is the best way to keep up to date with trends, to find new ideas and see what works well. Keeping in touch with our partners is also important, to see how they are evolving.
You have just signed up to the Drinks Trust as a new trustee – why did you want to get involved?
Given the strain of the past year on the sector, I was really keen to get involved as a Trustee to give back some of my time, and help the sector recover where I can.
The Drinks Trust is an organisation I have long admired and now, more than ever, our industry needs support as it endeavours to navigate itself out what has been the most challenging of circumstances. I am honoured to be one of its trustees and am committed to supporting our trade with vocational, well-being and practical support in collaboration with the Trust.
The Drinks Trust has expanded its board of trustees to take on the experience of four female leaders in the drinks industry
What do you see as your personal goals you would like to tackle and champion during your working with The Drinks Trust?
For me, it’s important to enjoy the experience and to give my time and insight. The Drinks Trust does some excellent work to assist, inspire and develop people in the industry and I want to help build on this by offering my expertise and experience.
Any initial thoughts on how you might achieve that?
I’ve had an incredibly warm welcome from everyone at The Drinks Trust already, and I’m looking forward to working together; learning and contributing to see how I can best help.
How do you think the Drinks Trust is perceived in the sector and what would you like to see the industry do more to support and understand what it does?
For me, I think we have to work on three things to grow how it is perceived in the sector: increase its reach; drive more revenue; and build its reputation.
As a leading female working in the sector what would you like to see the industry do more in terms of equality and diversity?
Learning from other sectors and operators is a key way to improve diversity and inclusion in your own business says Jillian Maclean
Hospitality is an unusual sector in that it is so diverse and appealing to people from all walks of life. It also benefits from the fact that many people in the industry are working in other sectors such as the arts, which brings in so much creativity and alternative ways of thinking. I think, especially following events of the past year and Brexit, what the sector needs to do most is listen and learn, to see how we can best keep moving forwards and continually improve.
Where do you think there have been the biggest strides forward in terms of diversity and inclusion?
I think the sector’s understanding of a work-life balance has improved over the past few years, and it’s also a sector where women can progress really well. At Drake & Morgan Chantelle Christy, our head of people, participates in round-table events with other professionals and businesses in the sector to discuss diversity, inclusion, and how we as an industry can improve, and I think it is these open, collaborative conversations that are driving things in the right direction.
What are the areas that need most attention?
For me, I think there is a great opportunity in having people from different generations work together and learn from each other. Having this variety in the workplace means you’ll get diverse perspectives and have staff drawing on different experiences, all of which can help shape a business for the better. It’s also a great way to help tackle some of the loneliness and isolation issues we’ve seen over the past year and make those all-important connections.
How has the last 16 months been like for you and your business coming through the pandemic?
Drake & Morgan has had to re-group like every other on-trade operators over the last 18 months
Extraordinary. It has been a very challenging time, but it has also been incredibly rewarding to see how people across the sector have been so collaborative and supportive. We’re gradually moving from survival mode to thrive mode now, and seeing customer sentiment and team confidence grow is hugely encouraging – and something I hope both myself, the business and the wider industry will continue to build upon.
Any particular highlights or areas you feel you have done well?
At Drake and Morgan, I think most importantly we behaved properly. We reached out to all our teams to keep them updated with the ever-changing rules, the business and how it affected them. We tried new things, came up with creative solutions and maintained contact with our wonderful customers. I think most important was making sure everyone had support.
What have been the biggest challenges over the last 16 months and coming up?
I think by far the biggest challenge for the industry was the constant changes to rules and regulations, and the stop/ start nature of the last 18 months. Hospitality was one of the worst hit sectors, and it’s been incredibly difficult for many businesses to function under the circumstances.
Any particular personal goals or targets you have set yourself this year?
I like to try something new every year and at the beginning of last year I really wanted to try painting. With everything that has happened it’s not been something I’ve been able to do yet, so I think my personal goal is to pick up a paintbrush, as well as just getting back out enjoying the things I love and having more fun.
- You can find out more about Drake & Morgan here.
- If you are looking for any help, support or advice about your personal live and career then you can contact The Drinks Trust here.
